Kuala lumpur: Malaysia has welcomed efforts by the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) to draft two key declarations aimed at addressing urgent human rights concerns. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan announced that the two documents are the ‘ASEAN Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment’ and the ‘Declaration on Promoting the Right to Development and Peace, Towards Realising Inclusive and Sustainable Development’.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamad highlighted these declarations as addressing urgent concerns impacting people, particularly those vulnerable to environmental harm, inequality, and instability. He shared these views during his opening statement at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Interface Meeting with AICHR representatives, coinciding with the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and associated events.

Mohamad stated that the proposed declarations reaffirm AICHR’s commitment to advancing human rights in ASEAN, ensuring relevance to both current and future challenges. He also expressed anticipation for AICHR’s 2025 Annual Report, which will provide an update on the commission’s achievements, challenges, and future plans in advancing human rights across the region.

Noting AICHR’s 15-year existence, Mohamad expressed hope for its continued evolution and capacity strengthening to deliver impactful outcomes while ensuring meaningful engagement and upholding ASEAN centrality and unity. He emphasized efforts to promote and protect people’s well-being should be ASEAN-led and ASEAN-owned, reflecting the values and norms of its member states while aligning with the ASEAN Charter and the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD).

In his remarks, Mohamad noted that the interface is timely as ASEAN is entering its next integration phase, following the adoption of the ‘ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future’ vision during the 46th ASEAN Summit in May 2025. He highlighted that the vision recognizes human rights promotion and protection as a fundamental component of ASEAN’s community-building efforts.

The 58th AMM and related meetings, held under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship for 2025 with the theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’, will feature 24 ministerial-level meetings involving ASEAN Dialogue Partners and Sectoral Dialogue Partners. The four-day high-level events are expected to bring together around 1,500 delegates, including foreign ministers from ASEAN member states, Timor-Leste, ASEAN Dialogue Partners, ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) participants, Sectoral Dialogue Partners, and senior ASEAN Secretariat officials.